Terrorism and CERT

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Terrorism and CERT
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TERRORISM

• CERT teams can play a helpful role in a terrorist
  incident
• However, the CERT role may be less direct and
  more in a support role
• Terrorist incidents are challenging and require
  professional first responders

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Terrorism Goals

• Multiple casualties/fatalities
• Loss of critical resources
• Disruption of vital services
• Disruption of Economy
• Anxiety/Panic

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Domestic Foreign Terrorists

• 9/11 Foreign terrorists
• Oklahoma City domestic extremists
• On Campuses
• Animal Rights recent UCLA incidents
• Individual active shooters

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Possible Targets of Terrorism

• Symbolic and historical targets
• Assembly areas
• Infrastructure systems such as public safety,
  transportation, or communications
• Institutions of higher learning (considered soft
  targets)
• Chemical and agriculture storage areas
• Hospitals

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B-NICE

• Categories of possible terrorist weapons

• Biological
• Nuclear
• Incendiary
• Chemical
• Explosive

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Biological Weapons

• anthrax
• tularemia
• pneumonic plague
• botulism
• smallpox

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Indicators of Bio Agents

• Sudden epidemic - Large number seeking medical
  attention with symptoms uncharacteristic for
  season

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Routes of Exposure forBiological Agents

• Inhalation
• Ingestion
• Skin absorption/contact

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Nuclear Weapons

• Nuclear bomb
• Dirty bomb
• Least likely type of incident due to difficulty

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Fits in a Suitcase?
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Incendiary Incidents

• An incendiary is any mechanical, electrical, or
  chemical device used to start a fire.

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Chemical Agents

• Inhalation
• Ingestion
• Skin absorption/contact

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Nerve Agents

• Sarin - colorless to brown liquid
• Others - colorless
• Odor - Sarin none
• Others sweet/fruity

• Symptoms
• Miosis
• Runny nose
• Localized sweating
• Muscle spasms/contractions
• Nausea/vomiting
• Confusion or drowsiness
• Death

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Choking Agents

• Phosgene - colorless gas
• Diphosgene - colorless liquid
• Odor
• New mown hay, Freshly cut grass, Green corn

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Choking Agent Symptoms

• Irritation of eyes respiratory tract
• Tightness in chest
• Nausea/vomiting
• Headache
• Death may result within 24 hours

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Blood Agents

• Cyanide colorless gas/liquid
• Arsine colorless gas
• Odor
• Cyanide bitter almonds
• Arsine garlic
• Symptoms
• Changes in breathing rate
• Headache, Giddiness
• Convulsions, Shallow breathing
• Unconsciousness
• Changes in lip skin color
• Death

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Blister Agents

• Physical state
• Mustard - colorless to pale yellow liquid
• Lewisite - colorless to brownish liquid
• Odor
• Mustard - garlic or horseradish
• Lewisite geraniums
• Affects skin like severe burns

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Explosive Incidents

• Explosive

• any substance or article, including a device,
  designed to function by explosion

ANOTHER DEFINITION

• Anything that can go BOOM!

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Explosive Incidents
Explosives make up 90 of all attacks Only 4
preceded by warning
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Primary and Secondary Dangers

• Initial explosion may be followed by secondary
  explosions

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If you observe an object that is out of place or
does not seem right

• Do not touch it
• Move away from the object
• Report it to authorities

CAUTION A CELL PHONE OR RADIO MAY DETONATE AN
INCENDIARY OR EXPLOSIVE DEVICE.
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Basic Decontamination Procedures

• If you believe that you have chemicals on your
  skin or clothing, then

• Take action immediatelytime is critical.
• Leave enclosed area.
• Remove everything on your body
• cut off clothes normally removed over head
• remove jewelry and wigs

• Wash hands before using them to shower
• Shower or flush your body with water
• Blot yourself with absorbent cloth to dry
• Put on clean clothes and maintain body
  temperature
• Go to decontamination station set-up by responders

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• ACTIVE
• CAMPUS
• SHOOTER

• Perhaps the most likely form of terrorism on a
  college campus.

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Campus Shooter Procedures

• If you receive warning of a shooter on campus
• TAKE SHELTER
• Close and lock doors and windows
• Turn off lights and close window blinds/curtains
• Stay away from windows
• Remain inside until all clear by campus officials
• Sign up for TrojansAlert emergency warning system
  at https//trojansalert.usc.edu

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If you hear shots fired in your building

• Close and lock or barricade doors
• Turn off lights and close window blinds/curtains
• Silence cell phones, pagers, computers
• Call DPS at 213-740-4321 to report incident
• Remain quiet.
• Do not answer the door.
• Follow directions of law enforcement when they
  arrive

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If the shooter enters your area

• There is no standard procedure the authorities
  recommend in this situation.
• Assess the specific situation and take the best
  course of action to ensure your and others
  safety.
• Remain passive?
• Run/flee?
• Fight?

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Handling of Troubled Students Employees

• Violence prevention is the best approach
• University has established protocols for
  identifying, monitoring, and helping disturbed
  students
• PROBLEM Most students do not report concerns